Part one of a three-part series One of the most important benefits you provide members is often the hardest to deliver: advocacy. As the umbrella group that represents the interests of your industry, members count on you to stay on...

Build it and they will come is a business model that no longer works for associations. Gone are the days when workers looked solely to the professional society for their industry as the go-to source for information, networking and development...

What do potential members think when they look at your association?  Do they feel included? Do you have membership appeal? Have you ever received an Evite and made your decision whether to attend the party based on a peek at...

You stepped up and took a leadership position as a member of the board for your industry association. That’s fantastic. It’s a great way to contribute to your profession while at the same time expand your network and skill set....

When potential members look at your board of directors, do they see themselves represented? Today’s workforce looks quite different than it did just a few years ago. Most associations want to foster a diverse membership that reflects the makeup of...

Having sat through hundreds of board and committee meetings – some productive, many not. I’ve spent a good amount of time analyzing what contributes to a positive board meeting experience for board members and staff alike.  Here is my list,...

Understanding and analyzing your association’s financial reports is among the most critical responsibilities of a board member, and often the most frequently misunderstood.  Here are a few tips to help you and your fellow board members better use financial information:...

By Sadie Schwarm. “Fake news!” Believe it or not, this is a phrase 2017 is familiar with and has brought on a new wave of uncertainty into the media sphere. Many times, consumers of the news forget that behind every...

By Kim Robinson. Marketing your own company can be a lot like writing your own résumé .  At least for me anyway, it is a challenge to have the proper perspective on what to say and how to say it. ...

By Courtney Adams. Annual conferences seem to be the culmination of a hard year’s work. They’re challenging, they’re fun, and they can be a bit exhausting. But as we wrap up a week after one of these conferences, it’s hard...